posted
While the plot line intrigues me and I already care about the characters, I am so turned off by the amount of vulgar language that I'm afraid this will be the one OSC I don't read. That makes me sad. As one of my favorite writers I am disappointed that there is so much language.
Someone will have to tell me how it ends when it comes out.....
Posts: 1132 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can't remember what would bother you. :goes to read it again.:
P.S. Okay, I read it again and I think it's similar to Enchantment. I mean, he uses "crap" instead of the more vulgar term many times, there there are exactly 3 instances of the more vulgar term. I know Enchantment had the B word in it.I haven't read much of OSC's other contemporary stuff (such as Lost Boys, Homebody, and Treasure Box) so I don't know... but the general level of thought that produces such language is present in characters good and bad in all his books.
posted
Vulgarities can be a sign of laziness in an author. I can't think of the author or title right now, but I remember one book in particular where I felt that was the case.
OTOH, I did not feel this was the case in the (first few) chapters of Magic Street. The language was necessary to set mood and establish character. And as mt mentioned, it could have been far more crude.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I know it could be worse but I find that the less I expose myself to that language the more I am sensitive to it. Which I consider a good thing. I think the story can stand well without it. But I know thats a personal opinion. Maybe ya'll will have to let me know if the language continues. If it doesn't then maybe I'll be able to read it. Sigh.
Posts: 1132 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
| IP: Logged |
posted
"The language was necessary to set mood and establish character. And as mt mentioned, it could have been far more crude."
To be honest, I think it's almost shockingly clean, considering its setting. Card went to great lengths to avoid realistic-sounding swear words, as far as I can tell; I don't know a single human being who'd ever use the synonym for "s**thead" we see here.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
After seeing the threads on the subject I was expecting profanity when I read the chapter. I didn't really get it. I found the language very clean.
Posts: 10886 | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was more bothered by the lack of explicit references to me. I mean, sure, oblique references are okay, and OSC's probably just trying to protect himself from lawsuits. But c'mon, would it hurt to put a Bob_Scopatz in every few pages? I bet most readers would appreciate it.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Wendybird: I know it could be worse but I find that the less I expose myself to that language the more I am sensitive to it. Which I consider a good thing.
I completely agree. OTOH, having been in the neighborhood in question on occasion, I agree with Tom's assessment. Although I have actually heard that particular word used once (elsewhere, not in that neighborhood in particular).
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can't comment on the language becaue I don't read the preview chapters. How on earth can you people torment yourselves like that? The books not out for a month and a half, and you've teased yourself already.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think it's extremely clean, too, and I rarely use "bad" language or am exposed to it. You write a scene with people who would swear, they're going to have to swear...
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Compared to the amount of profanity around just in my high school (which is supposed to be a swear-free zone), I'd call the language in Magic Street pretty mild. It didn't affect me whatsoever the first time I read it. Of course, now that I've checked out this thread, I'll notice every word the next time I read it.
Posts: 973 | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
